AJ Pritchard’s secret crisis after ‘burning his bridges’ with Strictly co-stars as US dreams go up in smoke

AJ Pritchard is facing a secret crisis after ‘burning his bridges’ with his Strictly co-stars – just as his US dreams went up in smoke. AJ, 31, was a pro on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019 before focusing on reality TV shows including I’m a Celebrity and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. AJ Pritchard is facing a secret crisis after ‘burning his bridges’ with his Strictly co-stars Credit: Getty Images – Getty AJ was a pro dancer on Strictly from 2016 to 2019 Credit: PA But recently, AJ tried to reignite his TV ballroom career by competing in a reality show to find a new pro dancer for the US version of Strictly. Despite making it to the final, he failed to win Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro – and some recent controversial comments he made off-screen mean there’s little chance of him ever going back to Strictly either. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! “AJ has put a lot of noses out of joint back at Strictly,” a source tells The Sun. “It’s extremely unlikely he will ever be asked to return, and he is not popular in the pro dance community back here.” AJ tried to reignite his dancing career by taking part in US show, Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro Credit: Disney He made it to the final but failed to be crowned the winner Credit: ABC Oti Mabuse has spoken out on a number of occasions over AJ’s comments about having more British dancers on Strictly Credit: Getty Karen Hauer also recently spoke out on AJ’s comments Credit: Getty The reason for AJ’s fall from grace came after his recent comments that the BBC dancing show needs more British dancers instead of international pros – a statement many saw as ironic given his attempts to land a spot on the American counterpart, despite not being American. He told The Sun: “I think, upsettingly, I would love to see more British dancers on the show. “We’re in the UK, I’m proud to be British and there are so many fantastic boys and girls out there who would love the opportunity. Most read in TV “So really kind of regionally, it would support the country that we are proud to be. I would love to see that, personally.” According to our insider, his comments have made him persona non grata amongst his former Strictly community. “There are people who feel he’s bitten the hand that fed him. He was part of the Strictly family for years, so his comments were always going to get people talking. “It leaves him in a very difficult position. “There’s a question mark over where he goes from here. He’s done so many reality shows already, and the obvious dancing opportunities seem to be drying up. “For AJ, competing for a spot of Dancing with The Stars was supposed to be a fresh start. Instead, he’s potentially found himself with fewer doors open than before.” “The irony hasn’t been lost on anyone. He was saying British dancers deserved more opportunities, while simultaneously trying to win one of the biggest opportunities available to dancers in America. “Getting to the final of The Next Pro was a huge achievement, but ultimately he didn’t get the prize he was chasing. That was supposed to be his route into Dancing with the Stars, and now that door has closed. “The big question is what AJ does next. He doesn’t even seem to be part of the current wave of Strictly stars going out on tour. “He’s ended up somewhat isolated from the Strictly circle, and rebuilding those relationships won’t be easy – in fact, it’ll be quite impossible.” Indeed, several former Strictly stars have openly criticised him, and we’re told that’s just the tip of the iceberg compared to what others are saying behind closed doors. South African dancer Oti, who was a pro on Strictly from 2015 to 2021, was first to comment on the drama. Addressing whether it was ‘fair’ for AJ to participate given his prior experience, Oti said: “I think AJ has said a lot of things, both about Strictly as a brand. “I don’t even know how to word this… might have rubbed a lot of people the wrong way with his personality. We can admit that as well. “Him coming out in public and saying he wants British dancers on a British show because Strictly is [in] Britain.” She added: “It’s gonna be tough for him to come back from this because this was his second chance… it’s gonna be tough for a lot of people to now warm to him.” While Oti has spoken out about AJ’s comments on a number of occasions, she isn’t the only former Strictly pro to voice an opinion. Venezuelan Karen – who was Strictly’s longest serving pro until she was axed earlier this year – recently said: “You don’t hear Americans say we need only Americans. “We’re all immigrants, we’re all doing the best that we can and we’re all gonna take the opportunities that we can. “So yeah, it was a little bit low of him to say that. Don’t say that.” Comment now